Class Overview

This course teaches essential skills needed to troubleshoot residential and commercial HVAC refrigeration system problems encountered on Direct Expansion (DX) systems. Students will learn to use time-proven diagnostic techniques that can be applied immediately back on the job. The goal is to provide technicians with not only the skills and confidence to tackle any mechanical system malfunction (with emphasis on rapid and accurate discovery of the failed component), but also the ability to determine the root cause of the problem to eliminate repeat failures. This course may be taken in conjunction with the HVAC Electrical Pro-Troubleshooting Course for complete troubleshooting proficiency, but can be taken as a stand-alone seminar if electrical troubleshooting techniques are already understood or are not needed. For technicians just entering the HVAC field or persons with no field experience, this course is most effective when preceded by the BASIC Program (SER 400), which introduces participants to fundamental concepts of both air conditioning and heating systems, including lab time with service test equipment and tools. This class is a combination of classroom activity and in-lab exercises using testing and servicing tools, with 30% to 40% lab time.

Upon request, the EPA 508 certification can be held after class at a slight additional cost. This certification is required to handle refrigerants.

Who should attend this training

This course is for HVAC technicians with a minimum of one year of field experience or a graduate of an HVAC training program. Students are expected to have basic math skills and a basic understanding of HVAC tools (gages and digital thermometers) and troubleshooting equipment.

HVAC Training Objectives

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course each student should be able to:

Predict “Normal” operating conditions, such as cfm, superheat, sub-cooling and capacity, for a residential or light commercial air conditioning system based on system size, load, and other factors;

Calculate actual system superheat and sub cooling using a manifold set, temperature probes, and pressure-temperature charts;

Plot a refrigeration system on a pressure enthalpy diagram based on high and low side pressures, suction and liquid line temperatures, and discharge temperature;

Determine whether a residential or light commercial system is properly charged based on high and low side pressures and suction and liquid line temperatures;

Select an appropriate method (superheat, sub-cooling, charging charts/calculator) for charging a given residential or light commercial system based on factors such as the type of metering device, and properly charge the system using the selected method;

Determine root cause(s) of, and take proper corrective action(s) to fix, a wide range of air conditioning system cooling problems in residential or light commercial systems, such as poor airflow, high head pressure, and low superheat;

Calculate actual system operating cooling capacity using cfm and wet bulb readings; and

Properly recover refrigerant using a recovery unit, manifold set, and scales, and evacuate an air conditioning system to appropriate levels based on system type and charge.

Learning Methods Used

This course uses a combination of classroom lecture, videos, animations, tours in the training facility lab, demonstrations, practical labs on operating equipment and workshops to present the material. Student’s achievement of the learning objectives is determined by successful completion of the workshops, labs, homework, and final written and practical exam. Workshops are instructor guided exercises using the procedures taught in the lectures.

Class Details

Topics Covered

All times are approximate and shown as (classroom hours/lab or workshop hours).

Introduction and safety (1/0)

Building / lab tour (0/0.5)

Basic refrigerant cycle (2/0)

Basic cycles lab (0/1)

Pressure / temperature (2/0)

Pressure / temperature lab (0/1.5)

Pressure / enthalpy (3/0)

Pressure / enthalpy lab (0/1.5)

Airflow measurement principles (1/0)

Airflow measurement lab (0/2.5)

Compressors (1.5/0)

Capacity control (1/0)

Condensers (1.0/0)

Evaporators (1/0)

Metering Devices (1/0)

HVAC Simulator lab (0/2)

Refrigerant recovery, leak testing, and evacuation (2/0)

Refrigerant recovery lab (0/2)

Charging (1/0)

Charging lab (0/3)

Charging lab review (1/0)

System analysis (1.5/0)

Accessories (1/0)

Homework review (2/0)

Final exam written and practical (1/1)

Class Requirements

Completion requirements

To receive a certificate for this course student must be present for the entire course, complete all workshops and labs and receive a grade of 70% (C+) on graded labs, homework and final.

Prerequisite requirements

For technicians just entering the HVAC field or persons with no field experience, this course is most effective when preceded by the BASIC Program (SER400), which introduces participants to fundamental concepts of both air conditioning and heating systems, including lab time with service test equipment and tools.

Materials to bring

No special equipment is required we provide the appropriate safety equipment required by Carrier. Arc flash equipment is not required for the voltages used in the lab, if you are required by your company to use other PPE you may bring that to class.

What you will receive

Students in this course receive a course workbook, Carrier Service Procedures handbook, safety gloves and goggles, charging calculators, and PT cards.

Appropriate dress for this class

This class has a number of exercises that take place in the lab on operating units; participants should wear long pants, closed toed shoes and appropriate shirt, long or short sleeve. If your employer requires special dress which is more stringent than these requirements, this dress should be worn.

Class hours

Class starts at 8 AM Monday and runs from 8 AM till 5 PM each day including Friday. Travel arrangements should be made accordingly.

Location & Lodging

Carrier University is located at 6540 Old Collamer Road South, East Syracuse, NY 13057. Lodging options can be found here.